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Sony PlayStation network moves into reality TV

Wants original, HBO-like content

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Sony Computer Entertainment, the folks in charge of the PlayStation game console, are getting into the reality show business.

As it attempts to transition from a gaming company to a full-blown media company, SCE hopes to expand its PlayStation Network online platform into an "actual" TV network not unlike the American premium cable station HBO.

Speaking at iHollywood's Digital Living Room conference in Santa Clara on Tuesday, John Koller - director of marketing PlayStation platforms at SCE America - outlined the company's plans for family hearth domination with the Playstation 3.

"This is an area we're going to be building out — reality shows and other areas that would live within the PlayStation Network, and only PlayStation consumers would be able to download them," Koller said. "We're starting to turn the PlayStation Network into an actual network as defined by what you'd expect from an HBO perspective where new and interesting content constantly breaks through."

Koller said they're using the network as their "north star" for original programming and will launch their first show in the coming months. He added that although the first programs will be catered to gamers, it hopes to see a broader scope if the idea catches on.

Sony also plans to continue pushing PlayStation Home — the PS3's baked-in Second Life-like ungame where users can customize their avatars and wander around a virtual world with other Home users. While Second Life has lost much of its hype in recent years, Sony said Home has proven to a profitable endeavor by letting advertisers into the virtual world and charging users for customization.

"It's amazing to me that someone would by a 50 cent chair for their PlayStation Home apartment with real money, but the revenue that comes from that is significant." ®